Violet is a tertiary color that is made by combining the primary colors red and blue. When these two colors are mixed together in equal parts, they produce the vibrant secondary color known as violet.
Primary Colors
The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. Primary colors are colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors together. Instead, other colors are made by mixing the primary colors.
Red, blue, and yellow are called primary colors because they are the simplest colors. When mixed together in different combinations and proportions, they can create virtually any other color on the visible spectrum.
Secondary Colors
When you mix two primary colors together, you get the secondary colors: orange, green, and violet.
Orange is made by mixing red and yellow. Green is made by mixing blue and yellow. Violet is made by mixing red and blue.
Secondary colors are more complex than primary colors. But they are still considered basic colors in the color spectrum.
Making Violet
To make the color violet, you need to mix red and blue pigments or light in equal proportions. When red and blue overlap, our eyes perceive the resulting color as violet.
In the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color model, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These primary colors can be mixed to create the secondary colors:
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Red + Blue = Violet
- Blue + Yellow = Green
So to make violet using paints or other pigments, you would mix equal amounts of a pure red pigment with a pure blue pigment. The more red or blue you add, the more reddish-purple or bluish-purple the violet will become.
The Violet Wavelength
In terms of light waves, violet resides at the short wavelength end of the visible spectrum, between approximately 380-450 nanometers.
The visible color spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength consists of the colors:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Violet
Violet light stimulates both the red and blue color receptors in our eyes equally, causing us to perceive the color violet.
Properties of Violet
Some key properties of the color violet include:
- In the RYB and traditional color models, violet is a secondary color made by mixing red and blue.
- In the RGB color model, violet corresponds to equal parts red and blue light.
- The violet wavelength of visible light is between 380-450 nanometers.
- Violet stimulates both the red and blue retinal receptors in the human eye.
- Violet sits at the lower end of the visible color spectrum, next to blue.
- Violet is one of the seven colors of the rainbow between blue and ultraviolet.
- Violet has a hue angle of 275–295° on most color wheels.
- Violet paint pigments include manganese violet and cobalt violet.
Shades of Violet
There are many rich shades of the color violet:
| Shade | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Vivid Violet | #9F00FF |
| Electric Violet | #8F00FF |
| Purple Pizzazz | #FE4EDA |
| Mulberry | #C54B8C |
| Thistle | #D8BFD8 |
| Wisteria | #C9A0DC |
These shades range from vivid, intense violets to softer, lighter lavender hues. By mixing violet with white, black, or gray, an infinite range of lighter and darker violet shades can be created.
Uses of Violet
Violet and its many shades are popular colors that are used in a variety of contexts.
- Art: Violet is a popular color for artists’ pigments and dyes. Historically, violet was closely associated with royalty because the pigments were expensive.
- Fashion: Violet and purple garments are perennial favorites in the fashion world. Pale purple is seen as feminine while vivid violet conveys luxury.
- Floristry: Violets and purple flowers such as orchids, lilacs, and lavender are sought-after in floral arrangements.
- Food: Violet and purple foods like plums, grapes, berries, and eggplants are high in antioxidants.
- Gemstones: Amethyst, one of the most popular purple gemstones, has long been associated with royalty.
- Interiors: Violet paints, fabrics, and accessories are used to add a pop of color and vibrancy.
Because it sits at the intersection of warm red and cool blue, shades of violet have wide appeal and work in many color palettes for interiors, fashion, art, and decor.
Conclusion
Violet is a rich secondary color that is made by combining red and blue in equal proportions. It sits between blue and ultraviolet on the visible color spectrum. The many shades of violet span a wide range from vivid purples to soft pastel lavenders. This versatile and popular color has many applications across art, fashion, decor, and design.
